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#11
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ArmsTom wrote:
Hey there everyone. I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor. I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone has any recommendations, that'd be great. Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to reply Arms Arms, I have a couple of Waterman Phileas that I really like. I've recommended them to others "thinking about" getting into fountain pens. The Pelikan M200 is ok, but my first Pelikan was an M800, so I'm a little spoiled to the bulk of the bigger pen. Stypen is also a nice inexpensive little writer. It's German made. I have seen them recently here in Dallas, before that, I brought several home from discount stores in Germany. Some of the finishes on these are also a rubber-like coating in various colors. Seems to cut down on some of the writing fatigue. Just my $0.02. -- Regards, Angela Remove "not" from address to reply. |
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#12
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On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 00:51:15 GMT, ArmsTom wrote:
I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. There are some very usable older pens ('50s - '60s) around for that sort of money. Parker 51s with the Aerometric filler (the squeezy bar, not the plunger). Sheaffer touchdowns, where the steel nib versions are practically given away. Both of these models are also very reliable, so buying unseen on eBay is a lot less of a gamble than for some other collectables. Much though depends on what _you_ like to use. What's your writing style ? Large or small, so do you need a fine nib or can you use something larger ? (fine 51s are harder to find). Do you want a flexible nib, or something more predictable, even if less capable for a calligrapher. Do you have RSI trouble (I do) and so find a fatter barrel easier to hold ?. The 51 or the fatter Duofolds can be helpful here. Some of my favourite pens are cheaper all-plastic body non-snorkel Sheaffers of the late '50s. I didn't like these at first, as they seemed too skinny. The minimum metal designs grew on me too, as I've never liked holding a metal pen or cap all day. They write well too, especially the more "traditional" non-Triumph nibs (I still don't like that aardvark-snout). Fight over a bright red one - it's like a tiny Ford Thunderbird that fits in your pocket. http://www.richardspens.com/?page=re...el_profile.htm I'd spend more than $50 on a pen that I liked to use, but having used a good many different pens now, I would be very loath to spend any significant money on something just because I liked the _look_ of it and hadn't already used it or something very similar for a few days beforehand. There are differences, and the "style" variation makes a lot more difference in practice than slight variations in quality. A "good" fountain pen can be cheap, even if a truly "excellent" one will still cost a considerable sum. For an "every day carry" fountain pen, that you can buy in almost any stationer for next to no money, try a Parker Vector. They also sell a filler converter, because half the fun of using a fountain pen is in choosing the ink colour you want. This is a pen you'll always find a use for, if there's a risk you might lose it, or you just want to try out a fountain pen and see if it's for you. -- Smert' spamionam |
#14
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The Safari is a great pen for the money, they stay wet and ready
to write, reliable, sturdy enough to be used like a ballpoint, fun colors and lightweight, ready for cartridges or converter. Too bad I fell in love with vintage flex. Nothing like it. (I wanted so much to like the vanishing point, such a cool pen, but the clip annoys me when it is in my hand) When I understand my writing better I'll order a Nakaya, until then 90 year old Ideals and 50 year old Skylines and Conways will have to do. JP "Bluesea" wrote in message ... "ArmsTom" wrote in message ... Hey there everyone. I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor. I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone has any recommendations, that'd be great. Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to reply Arms Hey, yourself - I don't think you'd go wrong with a Waterman Phileas. It's a wonderfully smooth pen and the kit (cartridges, bottle of ink, converter, etc.) costs ~$30-$35. Waterman also has a Harley Davidson Free Wheel that's available for ~$20. You might prefer a Cross ATX. It retails for $60 and $70 depending on finish but can be found for $45. The Parker Reflex isn't as smooth as either the Phileas or ATX, but at $7 (Wal-Mart, Staples) might serve well as a first pen for the wallet-minded. A converter can be bought separately from various sources online if you can't find one locally. I've got a couple of pens that cost more than $50 and $100 but still use the Reflex. I bought a Sheaffer Javelin for $15 only yesterday so, it's too soon for me to say how I like it. The converter is extra. Lamy Safari is also good. The cost varies from $20 - $30 so shop around. It's also available as the see-through Vista and aluminum Al-Star (though I've heard that the Al-Star finish scratches more easily than the Safari). The converter is sold separately. If you want to sample the fountain pen experience w/o risking too much capital, you might want to first try a Pilot disposable called Varsity that costs only $3. When you're ready to spend more than $50, please consider the push-button, retractable-nibbed Pilot Vanishing Point or the Namiki Falcon (my favorite) which has a flex nib. -- ~~Bluesea~~ Spam is great in musubi but not in email. Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply. |
#15
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Haven't seen anyone else mention it, so I'll throw in another opinion:
I carry a Rotring Core on a daily basis. It writes well, seems rugged, and has caused no problems. It comes with a convertor and can be found for about $20.00. ArmsTom wrote: Hey there everyone. I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor. I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone has any recommendations, that'd be great. Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to reply Arms |
#16
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ArmsTom wrote:
Hey there everyone. I've grown tired of the "5 for $3.97" pens you buy at WalMart and thought I'd give a fountain pen a go. I'm a college student, so cost is a factor. I don't /really/ want to spend above $50. I'm also a complete newbie to foutain pens, so I want something that is relatively hassle free. At this stage, I'm not looking to be a collector (so, perhaps this is the wrong group :-)), but just have a desire to use something different. If anyone has any recommendations, that'd be great. Thanks for taking the time to read - and hopefully for taking the time to reply We love these threads -- we all get to list our favorites! I like three in your price range. (1) Waterman Phileas; all the ones (bought several for my daughters and one for myself!) I've tried have been smooth writers, and a nice weight and girth for my hand. (2) Rotring Freeway; slimmer and lighter than the Phileas, but still comfortable; and (3) One of the Hero pens Norman advertises on this group; there are several under $50, and I expect any of these will work well. The Hero will have a finer nib than the others. Some people like the Core. I like to look at the weird colors, but I don't like to write with them. If you want to spend $50, you can probably get both a Phileas and a Hero, and see which one YOU like to write with most! Pat -- Apologies to those easily confused. Address is spam-resistant. Correct email address like pdlamb 'round-about comcast point net. |
#17
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Wow, what a response. Thanks everyone for your input. I will have to try
out a couple of the pens suggested (I'd like to try them all). I'll let you guys know what I decide on going with (for those of you curious). Arms |
#18
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On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 00:05:45 GMT, Jeff Miars said:
Jeff Haven't seen anyone else mention it, so I'll throw in Jeff another opinion: I carry a Rotring Core on a daily basis. Jeff It writes well, seems rugged, and has caused no problems. Jeff It comes with a convertor and can be found for about $20.00. the core has a nice nib, but some people really hate the ergonomics and/or the looks. this is a pen you have to try before buying, especially if you're on a tight budget. -- .... Now, it's time to "HAVE A NAGEELA"!! |
#19
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"Prashant Singh" wrote in message
news On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 05:48:18 +0000, Bluesea wrote: I bought a Sheaffer Javelin for $15 only yesterday so, it's too soon for me to say how I like it. The converter is extra. Once you've had a chance to decide about the Javelin, please post your thoughts. I'm considering getting a Javelin or a Rotring Freeway. Will do. It will be awhile because I'm in the process of exchanging the medium nib for a fine. Where did you find it for $15? I've mostly seen $20. Copelin's Office Center in Norman, OK. It's not on their website (http://www.copelins.com), so you'd have to go there or call or fax: Phone: 405-364-7011 Fax: 405-321-6476 Toll Free: 1-800-468-1017. Thanks, prashant. You're welcome. -- ~~Bluesea~~ Spam is great in musubi but not in email. Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply. |
#20
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On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 19:37:42 -0500, Patrick Lamb
wrote: Rotring Freeway; slimmer and lighter than the Phileas, but still comfortable; A Phileas (which I don't have) is heavier than a Freeway (which I do)? What are they made of ? Depleted uranium?! -- Die Gotterspammerung - Junkmail of the Gods |
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